Subarachnoid haemorrhage | With associated hydrocephalus–ventriculostomy allows therapeutic drainage and ICP monitoring |
| ? patients in coma |
| ? as a guide to hypertensive hypervolaemic treatment for delayed ischaemia |
|
Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage | There is no good clinical evidence of benefit from monitoring patients in this group |
|
Reye’s syndrome | Active treatment of raised ICP decreases mortality |
| Blood ammonia >300 mg/100 ml and deteriorating conscious level usually considered indications for monitoring |
|
Brain tumours | Not indicated routinely, but may be of value in selected patients deemed at high risk of swelling or obstructive hydrocephalus—for example, following posterior fossa surgery |
|
Normal pressure hydrocephalus | An increase in spontaneous nocturnal “B” waves has been reported to be predictive of a good response to CSF diversion |
|
Decompensated hydrocephalus | Can be a valuable diagnostic tool in complex cases |
|
“Benign” intracranial hypertension | Monitoring often undertaken via a lumbar subarachnoid catheter as both a diagnostic test and to monitor response to treatment |
|
Other potential indications | Hypoxic brain swelling after drowning, meningitis, encephalitis, venous sinus thrombosis, and hepatic encephalopathy |